A point representation of a structure built to support or protect a track.
In 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), along with other Canadian Provincial counterparts were invited to participate in a Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) initiative to define the National Railway Network (NRWN) to be stored and maintained in GeoGratis. The project’s goal was to define a national standard for railway network spatial and attribute information.
The NRWN project involved extensive consultation with information owners of railway geospatial datasets from both Private and Public sectors. At the same time, the MNRF’s Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) program re-examined the business needs for their own LIO railway-themed information. As crucial internal business requirements were reflected in the proposed NRWN data standards, SDI launched a project to adapt these into LIO Warehouse Database versions of the NRWN geospatial layers.
As a result of this exercise, seven Ontario Railway Network (ORWN) LIO data classes were implemented to reflect active railway information:
1. ORWN Track (line segment)
2. ORWN Structure Line (line segment)
3. ORWN Structure Point (point feature)
4. ORWN Crossing (point feature)
5. ORWN Station (point feature)
6. ORWN Marker Post (point feature)
7. ORWN Junction (point feature)
It should be noted that NRWN is not comprehensive and it is expected that as NRWN geospatial layers are revised by NRCAN, the ORWN will be updated shortly thereafter.

Represents the Ontario Governments initiative to adapt the Federal Governments GEOBASE standard for the National Railway Network (NRWN) geospatial data. It provides enhanced spatial and attribute data for the extent of the railway network in the Province of Ontario, and replaces the existing basic railway-themed data classes in NRVIS/LIO.
Although mainly used as a base data feature appearing on cartographic products and views, users will benefit from having additional railway-associated attributes available to them.
Additional uses of this dataset include OMNR emergency response and action (e.g. trackside fires), where the reported locations of mileposts and bridges / culverts (water supply) is useful for rapid fire suppression purposes.